Renner running for county assessor
Small business owner and teacher wants to bring new perspective to assessing property values
The deadline for adding candidates to unfilled races in the fall election has passed, and the Howard County Democrats have placed a new face on the ballot. RebekahAnn Renner is running for Howard County Assessor on the Democratic Party ticket.
A recent transplant from San Antonio, Texas, Renner immediately fell in love with Kokomo and Howard County; so much so that she feels led to give something back to the community. And she wants to bring a fresh perspective to the assessor’s office.
“My focus is on change,” said Renner. “I’m not saying that my opponent isn’t doing her job, but change helps hold people accountable. It gives us a chance to have new eyes looking at things.”
This is Renner’s first foray into politics, but when she was approached about running, she saw it as an opportunity to make a difference in the community she and her family have quickly come to love. She believes her previous business experience will be an asset to Howard County.
“I have no political experience, however as a business owner and home-school teacher to my kids, numbers are my forte,” said Renner. “I’m bringing my brain to the office. That may sound funny, but let me explain.
“When I do a job, I love to be challenged. I love learning new things. As soon as I found out about assessor certifications, I began working on them. So far, I’m breezing through Level 1, and I’m looking forward to the next challenge. When I come up against something I don’t know, the way my brain works, I learn it quickly and excel.”
One significant change Renner intends to implement if elected would affect the fundamental way a property is assessed.
“I want to take the idea of assessing properties equally to the next step,” said Renner. “I want to make sure that assessment is done by taking into consideration the entire community. At times, unfortunately, a certain area or neighborhood can be deemed less worthy because of who lives there. I’m over that. If your house is worth $100,000, it will be valued at $100,000 for assessment.
“I don’t think you should be faulted because a neighbor decided not to mow their grass or keep up their property. I want to make sure assessment is 100-percent fair across the board.”
Renner knows citizens who interact with the assessor’s office will notice a difference in the way things work if she is elected. She will bring a perspective that isn’t tied to old, local politics or the usual way of doing things.
“Running a business takes a lot to find success, but doing so requires good customer service, good management,” said Renner. “But also means having the ability to get to the root cause of things and developing solutions. I can take a lot of the experience I have had as a business manager and business owner and apply It to the assessor’s office.
“I may not be from Kokomo originally, but I did grow up in a small town. I know what life is like here, and we love calling Kokomo home. I want to lay roots in Howard County because it is a very welcoming community. I think being new to the community is an advantage because I will come into the assessor’s office unbiased.”